Interactive selection of 3-D on-screen objects using active selection entities provided to the user

Abstract

A three dimensional selection entity for interactively selecting among the displayed objects represented in three-dimensional space. A user selects one of several three-dimensional selection entities provided in accordance with the present invention. The user manipulates the three-dimensional selection entity to designate the three-dimensional space of interest. The objects are deemed to be selected depending on whether the selection entity encompasses at least a portion of the object.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for interactively selecting an object displayed in three dimensional space on a display unit, the method comprising the steps of: providing a user with an option to select one or more three dimensional selection entities;   selecting an active selection entity from the one or more of the three dimensional selection entities;   superimposing the active selection entity on the display unit with the object in the three dimensional space; and   selecting the object by manipulating the active selection entity by dynamically adjusting the scale of the active selection entity to encompass the object in three dimensions, wherein said selecting step includes the step of resolving a selection when the center of the object is within the active selection entity.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of selecting includes the step of resolving a selection when the object is partially encompassed by the active selection entity. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of selecting includes the step of resolving a selection when the object is completely encompassed within the active selection entity. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of resolving further comprises the step of determining whether the object is partially encompassed by the active selection entity, wherein said step of determining comprises the steps of: determining the maximum X, Y, Z coordinates of the object;   determining the minimum X, Y, Z coordinates of the object;   defining a bounding box from the maximum and minimum X, Y, Z coordinates; and   determining whether the bounding box is partially encompassed by the active selection entity.   
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of selecting further includes the step of defining a reference point for the active selection entity comprising the steps of: enabling the user to specify a point in the three dimensional space;   if the specified point is a point on the object, setting the coordinates of the reference point to the coordinates of the point on the object; and   if the specified point is not on the object, enabling the user to specify one or more components of the coordinates of the reference point.   
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of selecting the object further comprises the step of dynamically moving the active selection entity in one or more of three dimensions associated with the three dimensional space. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of selecting the object further comprises the step of dynamically rotating the active selection entity in three dimensions in accordance with the rotational orientation of the object. 
     
     
       8. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, said computer program logic enabling a computer to allow a user to interactively select an object displayed in three dimensional space on a display unit, wherein said computer program logic comprises: means for enabling the computer to provide the user with an option to select one or more three dimensional selection entities;   means for enabling the computer to allow the user to select an active selection entity from the one or more of the three dimensional selection entities;   means for enabling the computer to superimpose the active selection entity on the display unit with the object in the three dimensional space; and   means for enabling the computer to select the object by allowing the user to manipulate the active selection entity by dynamically adjusting the scale of the active selection entity to encompass the object in three dimensions, wherein said means for enabling the computer to select the object includes means for enabling the computer to resolve a selection when the center of the object is within the active selection entity.   
     
     
       9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein said means for enabling the computer to select the object includes means for enabling the computer to resolve a selection when the object is partially encompassed by the active selection entity. 
     
     
       10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein said means for enabling the computer to select the object includes means for enabling the computer to resolve a selection when the object is completely encompassed within the active selection entity. 
     
     
       11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein said means for enabling the computer to resolve a selection further comprises means for enabling the computer to determine whether the object is partially encompassed by the active selection entity, including: means for enabling the computer to determine the maximum X, Y, Z coordinates of the object;   means for enabling the computer to determine the minimum X, Y, Z coordinates of the object;   means for enabling the computer to define a bounding box from the maximum and minimum X, Y, Z coordinates; and   means for enabling the computer to determine whether the bounding box is partially encompassed by the active selection entity.